Gatwick airport strike: British Airways cabin crew threaten mass walkout affecting all flights

Union accuses airline of ‘corporate greed’

A row over rosters could trigger a strike affecting all British Airways flights from Gatwick, the Unite union has warned.

The union, representing cabin crew at the Sussex airport, has published a video which it is urging members to share.

It begins: “There’s a pretty serious dispute happening at British Airways Gatwick – one that could cause a lot of disruption to customers if it isn’t resolved.

“As many customers know, British Airways has made many cuts over the years.

“In 2017, they axed free food and drink for customers. Now, when BA is reporting £1.9bn profit, the airline says its crew must make even more savings.

“This time, understandably, the cabin crew have said ‘enough’.”

Cabin crew are particular concerned by a reduction in the time “down route” after long-haul flights to Las Vegas. BA is cutting the stay in the Nevada city from two nights to one.

“This means less pay and tired cabin crew who need to be alert in case of emergency,” says Unite.

“These cuts are simply corporate greed and employee exploitation.”

The union claims the airline is refusing to commit to cabin crew rostering rules, saying that staff will have no certainty over how many hours or days in a week they will work.

The video warns “if the company goes ahead, all BA flights from Gatwick could be affected” by a strike.

“The only way for customers to guarantee their journeys won’t be disrupted is to book with another airline until the dispute is settled.” British Airways says the change of rest arrangements at Las Vegas brings Gatwick crews into line with staff at Heathrow, who also fly to the city.

A BA spokesperson said: “This is normal practice and well within industry and regulatory standards.”

Separately, Unite, the British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA) and the GMB union have rejected the latest company-wide pay proposals from British Airways.

In a letter to the airline, the unions said they could not recommend the offer to members, but that they “stand ready to consider any serious, revised proposal BA may wish to put forward”.

A British Airways spokesperson said: “Our latest pay proposal of 11.5 per cent over three years is fair and generous, and we remain open for discussions with all our trade unions.”